Lighted display wall

ABSTRACT

A display wall includes a wall with at least one T-slot extending horizontally along a length of the wall. At least one display shelf is removably coupled with the wall through a respective T-slot and includes at least one support bracket for supporting the shelf when coupled with the wall. The at least one support bracket includes at least two electrical contacts electrically connected with at least one light positioned on the at least one display shelf. At least two electrical conductors are positioned within the respective T-slot and extend along a length thereof. The at least two electrical conductors electrically interconnect the electrical contacts with an electrical power source when the respective display shelf is coupled with the wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/751,355, entitled “LIGHTED DISPLAY WALL”, filed Jan. 11, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/907,417, entitled “LIGHTED DISPLAY WALL”, filed Nov. 22, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to lighted display units, for example, for use in stores for the display of merchandise.

2. Description of the Related Art

A common practice throughout the retail business is to display merchandise on shelving on a display wall unit. The problem presented with this type of display unit is that the only light reaching the merchandise on or below the shelving is the ambient light of the store or lighting positioned above the display wall unit. This lighting may be sufficient for the upper display shelves, but depending upon the ambient light in the store, may leave merchandise positioned below such shelving in the shadows. Display units that are custom built including lighting on the bottom of the display shelves on the lower part of the display wall are known in the art, but these display shelves are generally permanently built and do not have sufficient flexibility to be readily rearranged on the display wall by the retailer to fit their ever-changing specific display needs.

What is needed in the art is a lighted display wall system which has the flexibility to be readily rearranged on the display wall simply and efficiently and which provides sufficient lighting of the merchandised displayed thereon. The lighted display wall system should be simple and cost effective to produce and to utilize.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a display wall unit including a wall having at least one T-slot extending horizontally along a length of the wall, at least one display shelf which is removably coupled with the wall through the T-slot, and at least one support bracket for supporting the display shelf when it is coupled with the wall. Each support bracket includes at least two electrical contacts. Each display shelf includes at least one light positioned on the display shelf and which is electrically connected with the electrical contacts of the support bracket. At least two electrical conductors are positioned within each of the T-slot(s) and extend along the length of the respective T-slot. The electrical conductors interconnect the electrical contacts of the display shelf with an electrical power source when the display shelf is coupled with the wall of the inventive display wall unit.

The present invention also provides a method of installing a display wall unit which includes providing a wall including at least one T-slot extending horizontally along a length of the wall. The wall includes at least two electrical conductors extending along a length of each respective T-slot, each of which is coupled with an electrical power source. At least one display shelf is provided, each respective display shelf including at least one support bracket for supporting the respective display shelf when coupled with the wall. Each respective support bracket includes at least two electrical contacts which are electrically connected to at least one light positioned on the respective display shelf. The display shelf is removably coupled with the wall by rotating a forward edge of the respective shelf with the respective support bracket up and sliding the forward edge and the support bracket into the T-slot of the wall such that the display shelf is removably secured to the wall. The conductors and the electrical power source are electrically interconnected with at least one pair of electrical leads such that the light of each respective display shelf is electrically connected with the electrical power source. Power is then provided to the light from the electrical power source to illuminate the light on the display shelf

An advantage of the present invention is that a lighted wall display unit is provided which can be readily rearranged to accommodate changes in stock and merchandise.

Another advantage is that merchandise or displays can be positioned below the inventive shelving unit and still have sufficient light provided thereto without having to run additional lighting and wiring to provide light to the dimly lit or shadowed area beneath a shelf.

Yet another advantage is that the display shelves can be readily and simply rearranged at any point along the length of the T-slot in the inventive wall.

Additionally, since the electrical conductors are positioned within the T-slot of the inventive display wall unit, the light of each respective display shelf is very simply electrically connected with an electrical power source through the electrical contacts without the need to run additional wiring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a lighted display wall according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side, sectional view of the lighted display wall of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the lighted display shelf shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a lighted display wall according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional end view of the display wall of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lighted display shelf shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a connector housing with terminal members for the display wall illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 8 is an assembled view of the connector housing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a detailed end view of a section of the display wall of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of installing a display wall unit according to the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a first embodiment of a display wall unit 10 which generally includes a display wall 12 and a display shelf 14 which is removably connected with wall 12.

Display wall 12 may be formed, for example, from pressed wood product, solid wood, plastic, vinyl, aluminum or any other material having a rigidity sufficient to hold the intended merchandise. Display wall 12 includes at least one, for example a plurality of T-slots 16 which extend horizontally along through display wall 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are illustrated at least two conductors 18A, 18B shown here in the form of duplex low voltage cable 18, positioned within T-slots 16, for example through the top of T-slots 16. In FIG. 1, cable 18 is passed through T-slots 16 and then passed to an adjacent T-slot 16 around a side of wall 12. Cable 18, is electrically connected with an electrical power source 20, for example a low voltage transformer 20, such as a 12 volt or a 24 volt transformer. Alternatively, cable 18 may be electrically connected with a 110 volt electrical power source 20. As shown in FIG. 2, there is an end view of wall 12 with duplex low voltage cable 18, including conductors 18A and 18B, running for example, along a top portion of T-slot 16.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an inventive display shelf 14 which includes at least one light 22. It is, however, feasible for shelf 14 to include a plurality of lights 22, positioned on shelf 14. Light 22 may, for example, be in the form of a low voltage light emitting diode (LED) light 22 positioned, for example on a bottom surface of shelf 14. Display shelf 14 with light 22 is, for example, mounted on wall 12 via a support bracket 24, for example in the form of an L-shaped bracket 24, extending from shelf 14, as is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Support bracket 24 is configured to interface with wall 12 via T-slot 16 and includes metal piercing members 26. A pair of electrical leads 28 electrically interconnect light 22 with metal piercing members 26 and, thereby with conductors 18 when shelf 14 is removably mounted on wall 12.

FIG. 3 clearly illustrates a shelf 14 according to the present invention, with metal piercing members 26 extending from support bracket 24 in the back of shelving 14. On the underside 30′ or bottom of shelf 14 is housed at least one light 22, for example a plurality of lights 22. Light 22 is, for example, a low voltage LED light 22, connected to metal piercing members 26 via electrical leads 28 in the interior of shelf 14 that, when connected with wall 12, engages conductors 18 to illuminate light 22.

To move shelf 14 anywhere on wall 12, a forward edge 32 of shelf 14 is rotated up and support bracket 24 is slid into the back of shelf 14 with piercing members 26 into T-slot 16 and rotated down until metal piercing members 26 pierce cable 18 to make electrical connection between conductor cable 18 and light 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-9, there is shown a second embodiment of display wall unit 10′ according to the present invention. According to the second embodiment of display wall unit 10′, wall 12′ again includes at least one T-slot 16′, for example a plurality of T-slots 16′, configured to interface with display shelf 14′ and running horizontally along wall 12′, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, positioned within each T-slot 16′ is an insert 34, for example in the form of a plastic extrusion 34 that houses at least two conductors 18′, for example in the form of conductor strips 18A′, 18B′, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9. Conductor strips 18A′, 18B′ may be formed of any known conductive material, for example copper, silver, gold, aluminum, or conductive polymers. Conductor strips 18A′, 18B′ are connected to each other throughout wall 12′ with electrical leads 36 (shown in FIG. 4), which in turn connect all T-slots 16′ in wall 12′ to an electrical power source 20′, such as a 12 volt or 24 volt transformer 20′, or a 110 volt power source 20′, as shown in FIG. 4.

Shelf 14′ according to the second embodiment of the display wall unit 10′ is shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 as including a single light 22′ secured to a bottom surface of shelf 14′. However, shelf 14′ may include a plurality of lights 22′, for example three lights 22′ as illustrated in FIG. 6, mounted on underside 30′ of shelf 14′. As set forth above with respect to the first embodiment of the present invention, lights 22′ may, for example, be low voltage LED lights.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 9, shelf 14′ is shown including electrical leads 28′, which electrically interconnect lights 22′ and terminal members 38 residing in a connector housing 40 such that when shelf 14′ is mounted onto wall 12′, terminal members 38 engage conductor strips 18A′, 18B′ in T-slots 16′ completing the electrical interconnection between lights 22′ with electrical power source 20′ and illuminating lights 22′. Shelf 14′ further includes support brackets 24′ mounted in the back and extending forward of underside 30′ of shelf 14′.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown connector housing 40 in greater detail including terminal members 38′ which engage conductors 18′ in T-slots 16′. In contrast to FIG. 7, which illustrates an exploded view of connector housing 40, FIG. 8 illustrates an assembled view of connector housing 40 with terminal members 38 in their respective positions. Here, terminal member 38A′ is shown with attached electrical lead 28A′ exiting out of the front of connector housing 40 and is connected to one side of light 22′ in shelf 14′. Terminal member 38A′ is, for example, made of formed beryllium copper and is heat treated to return it to its original shape when deflected. Terminal lead 38B′, on the other hand, is for example stamped or laser cut from sheet aluminum or copper and is connected with an electrical lead 28B′ from light 22′ in shelf 14′ with a quick disconnect terminal 42.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a method of installing a display wall 50 according to the present invention which includes step 52 of providing a wall having at least one T-slot extending horizontally along a length of the wall, the wall including at least two electrical conductors extending along a length of the T-slot and coupled with an electrical power source. Further, at least one display shelf is provided, as shown at box 54. The display shelf includes at least one support bracket for supporting the display shelf when coupled with the wall of the present invention. The support bracket includes at least two electrical contacts electrically connected to at least one light positioned on the display shelf. As illustrated at box 56, the display shelf is removably coupled with the wall by rotating a forward edge of the display shelf with the support bracket up and sliding the forward edge and the support bracket into the T-slot of the wall such that the display shelf is removably secured to the wall. At box 58, the conductors and the electrical power source are electrically interconnected with at least one pair of electrical leads such that the light is electrically connected to the power source. The light of the display shelf is lit or illuminated by providing power from the electrical power source, as shown at box 60.

The method may further include the step of repositioning the display shelf at a different position anywhere along the T-slot in the wall. It is also feasible for there a plurality of T-slots to be provided in the wall and for the display shelf to be repositioned at any point along any of the provided T-slots, including a T-slot which is different than the one into which it had initially been inserted. It is also feasible for a plurality of display shelves to be provided and positioned at any point along the T-slots provided to form a predetermined arrangement, the step of positioning the display shelf thus being repeated until a predetermined arrangement is formed from the plurality of shelves. Each of the plurality of shelves provided would then be electrically connected with the conductors positioned within the T-slots such that the lights of each of the provided display shelves are electrically connected with the electrical power supply through the electrical conductors and a plurality of electrical leads and terminal members. According to the method of the present invention, it is also feasible for there to be provided on each shelf more than one light.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A display wall, comprising: a wall including at least one T-slot extending horizontally along a length of said wall; at least one display shelf removably coupled with said wall through said at least one T-slot and including at least one support bracket for supporting said at least one display shelf when coupled with said wall, said at least one support bracket including at least two electrical contacts; at least one light positioned on said at least one display shelf and electrically connected with said at least two electrical contacts; an electrical power source; at least two electrical conductors positioned within said T-slot and extending along a length of said at least one T-slot, said at least two electrical conductors interconnecting said at least two electrical contacts with said electrical power source when said at least one display shelf is coupled with said wall.
 2. The display wall according to claim 1, said at least one display shelf being a plurality of display shelves configured for positioning at any point along said at least one T-slot extending along said length of said wall.
 3. The display wall according to claim 1, said at least one light being a light emitting diode (LED) light.
 4. The display wall according to claim 1, said at least two electrical conductors being formed as a low voltage duplex cable running along a top of said at least one T-slot.
 5. The display wall according to claim 4, said at least one support bracket being an L-shaped bracket of said at least one display shelf configured for interfacing with said at least one T-slot.
 6. The display wall according to claim 1, said at least two electrical contacts being a pair of metal piercing members coupled with a pair of electrical leads extending from said at least one light, said pair of metal piercing members configured to pierce said duplex low voltage cable to electrically interconnect said at least one light and said low voltage duplex cable.
 7. The display wall according to claim 1, further comprising at least one plastic extrusion positioned within and extending along said length of said at least one T-slot and said at least two electrical conductors being a pair of metal connector strips positioned within and extending along said at least one plastic extrusion.
 8. The display wall according to claim 8, said pair of metal connector strips are electrically connected with said electrical power source through at least two electrical leads extending between said metal connector strips and said electrical power source.
 9. The display wall according to claim 8, wherein said at least one T-slot is a plurality of T-slots each including said at least one plastic extrusion and a pair of said metal connector strips, each of said plurality of electrical leads electrically connecting one said pair of metal connector strips of one of said plurality of T-slots with another said pair of metal connector strips of another of said plurality of T-slots and said electrical power source.
 10. The display wall according to claim 9, said at least one display shelf further comprising a pair of electrical leads, a pair of terminals and a housing, said pair of electrical leads extending between said at least one light and said pair of terminals positioned within said housing.
 11. The display wall according to claim 10, wherein said pair of electrical leads of said at least one display shelf extending between said light and said pair of terminals are positioned within at least one channel inside of said at least one display shelf
 12. The display wall according to claim 11, said terminal members interfacing with said metal connector strips in said at least one plastic extrusion within said at least one T-slot to complete an electrical connection with said at least two electrical leads to electrically connect said at least one light and said electrical power source when said at least one display shelf is mounted on said wall.
 13. The display wall according to claim 12, wherein said terminal members are formed of heat treated beryllium copper heat treated such that said terminal members return to their original shape when deflected.
 14. The display wall according to claim 12, said pair of metal connecting strips being formed from at least one of copper, aluminum, silver, zinc, nickel, brass, bronze and steel.
 15. A method of installing a display wall, the method comprising the steps of: providing a wall including at least one T-slot extending horizontally along a length of said wall, said wall including at least two electrical conductors extending along a length of said T-slots and coupled with an electrical power source; providing at least one display shelf including at least one support bracket for supporting said at least one display shelf when coupled with said wall, said at least one support bracket including at least two electrical contacts electrically connected to at least one light positioned on said at least one display shelf; removably coupling said at least one display shelf with said wall by rotating a forward edge of said at least one display shelf with said at least one support bracket up and sliding said forward edge and said at least one support bracket of said at least one display shelf into said T-slot of said wall such that said at least one display shelf is removably secured to said wall; electrically interconnecting said at least two conductors and said electrical power source with at least one pair of electrical leads such that said at least one light is electrically connected with said electrical power source; and lighting said at least one light of said at least one display shelf by providing power from said electrical power source.
 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of repositioning said at least one display shelf at a different position along said at least one T-slot.
 17. The method according to claim 16, said at least one T-slot being a plurality of T-slots and said repositioning step including repositioning said at least one display shelf from one of said plurality of T-slots to any position along another of said plurality of T-slots.
 18. The method according to claim 17, said at least one display shelf being a plurality of display shelves, said positioning step being repeated for each of said plurality of display shelves.
 19. The method according to claim 18, each of said plurality of display shelves being electrically connected with said at least two electrical conductors of each of said plurality of T-slots, and each of said at least two electrical conductors of each of said plurality of T-slots being electrically connected with each other and with said electrical power source through a plurality of electrical leads.
 20. The method according to claim 19, said at least one light being a plurality of lights. 